M3 CPU cores have become more versatile

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Apple’s M3 generation is praised for markedly faster efficiency cores, strong battery life and unified memory that makes high‑end MacBook Pros unusually capable for tasks like running large language models and virtual machines in a portable form factor. Commenters contrast this with cheaper, more upgradable desktop PCs that can match or exceed raw performance per dollar but sacrifice mobility, integration and power efficiency. Others question Apple’s pricing, reduced performance‑core counts, GPU value and desktop strategy, arguing that the generational gains over earlier M‑series chips are modest and that competing x86 laptops and desktops are catching up, especially for gaming and heavy GPU workloads.

M3 vs Earlier Apple Silicon (Performance & Thermals)

  • Some users report clear real‑world gains moving from M1/M1 Pro/Max to M3 Pro/Max: better performance and noticeably longer battery life.
  • Others argue the P‑core count reduction on M3 Pro and only modest clock-driven gains make it a sidegrade or even a regression in some workflows.
  • Disagreement on thermals: some say Apple Silicon MacBooks rarely throttle and stay quiet; others claim M3s run hot/noisy under load, echoing Intel-era issues.

Battery Life, Health & Management

  • Multiple reports of good battery longevity on M1/M2 machines after several hundred cycles, often still 80–90% capacity.
  • Tools like AlDente are praised for hard-capping charge at ~80%; built‑in macOS “optimized charging” is seen as opaque and unreliable.
  • Apple batteries are typically rated for ~1000 cycles to ~80% capacity; users confirm that’s roughly in line with experience.

Virtualization, Windows, and Containers

  • M1 Air can struggle with heavy Windows 11 VMs (heat, throttling); active cooling in M‑series Pro/Max laptops is preferred for this.
  • Some say upgrading from M1 Pro to M3 Max noticeably speeds AMD64 containers and expect similar gains for Windows VMs.
  • Nested virtualization is debated: some claim M2/M3 have partial hardware support but that software stacks don’t expose it; others say full support likely awaits future chips.

Core Scheduling & Audio Workloads

  • P‑core reduction on M3 Pro is cited as a downgrade for some DAWs, with reports that Logic Pro scales mainly with P‑cores.
  • Others note Logic can adjust core usage in settings, and that E‑cores have improved significantly, but some audio benchmarks still favor M1 Pro.

Mac vs PC Value & Use Cases

  • Many argue desktops or DIY PCs offer far better price/performance and upgradability; a “cheap laptop + powerful desktop/remote” setup is popular.
  • Counterpoint: MacBooks offer unmatched combination of performance, battery life, quietness, display quality, and macOS integration in a portable form factor.
  • Resale value of Macs is seen as much higher than typical PCs, partially offsetting lack of upgradability.

LLMs, GPUs, and Unified Memory

  • High‑RAM M3 Max (up to ~128 GB shared memory) is viewed as uniquely capable for local LLM inference in a laptop, compared to expensive Nvidia GPUs.
  • Critics note that similar or better LLM performance can be had with desktop GPUs or cloud compute for less money, especially if portability isn’t required.

macOS vs Linux/Windows

  • Pro‑macOS comments emphasize polished UX, Unix underpinnings, stable sleep/wake, and well‑sandboxed, security‑focused design.
  • Critics report various UI bugs, performance issues vs Linux on similar workloads, and dislike yearly cosmetic changes.

Broader Critique of M3 and Apple Strategy

  • A critical thread argues Apple is over‑rotated on efficiency cores (especially for desktops), GPU performance per dollar is weak, and competitors (Intel + discrete GPU) now match or beat low‑end Apple SKUs in gaming and some workloads at similar prices.
  • Others respond that independent benchmarks still show strong performance-per-watt and that Apple Silicon retains a major efficiency and integration advantage, especially in laptops.